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The Biedenharn Brief

Many different factors make up a city’s culture. The food, traditions, entertainment, and art are all huge contributors. One aspect of a city that sometimes gets forgotten, but is something we actually experience and take in every day of our lives, is the architecture. Sure, there are famous landmarks like the Empire State Building, but not every city has buildings with such historical reputations. That doesn’t mean there aren’t examples of breathtaking architecture in many cities all over the world. Fort Worth is home to quite a few buildings that are prime examples of all different kinds of relevant and historical architectural trends. Fort Worth is a city for both art lovers and those interested in real estate. Many businesses and institutions call these interesting and majestic buildings home. Let’s take a look at some of the neighborhoods that make up Fort Worth and the architecture that fills them.

Downtown

The area between the Trinity River on the north and west, I-35 to the east, and I-30 to the south is Fort Worth’s developing downtown district. Since the 1980’s, the area has been undergoing a makeover that includes new construction and the restoration of older, more historical structures. Some buildings of note include the Burk Burnett Building, which dates back to 1914 and was restored in 1981, Fire Station No. 1, which was built in 1907, and Frost Tower, which is under construction and is on track to be completed by 2018.

Cultural District

This neighborhood, sandwiched between the Trinity River and Montgomery Street, has a claim to fame as the cultural epicenter of Fort Worth thanks to its assortment of museums and gorgeous buildings. The Will Rogers Memorial Center, constructed in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial Celebration, may be the most famous landmark in the Cultural District. Other buildings of note include the variety of museums designed by such names as Louis Kahn, Tadao Ando, Philip Johnson, and David Schwarz.

Medical District

The Medical District is comprised of the area between I-30, I-35W, Magnolia, and the FW&R Railroad. It consists of the nearby hospitals and medical campuses just south of Magnolia as well, giving the area its moniker. The Durham House (now a law office) and Eagle Steam Bread Bakery are two of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to 1900 and 1895 respectively. The Oxsheer House, erected in 1916, is a rancher what was designed for cattleman Fountain Goodlet Oxsheer and is one of the last remaining grand homes in the area.

North Side

The North Side of Fort Worth is bordered by 35W, Trinity River, and Jacksboro Highway. There are many early 20th century buildings still standing in the area. One such building for history aficionados is the AFL-CIO Union Hall, which is your classic looking grocer’s building from 1908. Of particular interest is the “ghost signs” of the former businesses that operated out of the building, long faded from the passing time. There are many old time retail and hotel buildings that have been repurposed over the past 100+ years.

East Side

The buildings that make up the section of Fort Worth east of Interstate 35W are relatively more modern compared to other sections of the city. Relatively meaning mid to later 20th century rather than pre-World War II. There are also a significant amount of buildings that date from the early 2000s such as the Polytechnic Heights Neighborhood Police Center, Jean McClung Middle School, and a dozen more that have been remodeled in the past decade or so.

South Side

The South Side of Fort Worth consists of neighborhoods such as Fairmount, Mistletoe Heights, Ryan Place, Park Hill, TCU, Blue Bonnet Place, and Berkeley. The vast majority of the architecture on the South Side consists of buildings erected pre-1960. One building of note is St. John’s Episcopal Church which was built in 1952 but is actually a great example of the Gothic Revival architectural style which dates back to the 1700s. The Rosen House Inn Bed & Breakfast was built in 1910 and is an excellent example of the classic turn of the century two-story Southern home.

West Side

Finally, we reach the West Side, which is defined as the area between Jacksboro Highway, Montgomery Street, Trinity River, and the city limits on the west side. The Messer House is a must see for history buffs. Built in 1893, it was designed and occupied by architect Arthur Albert Messer. He and his brother would end up designing a number of buildings in the area. Though it has been remodeled over the years, much of the original materials stand. It now currently serves as a bed and breakfast.

Conclusion

Fort Worth has a diverse array of architecture in each of its neighborhoods. Know that when you’re searching for Fort Worth homes, you’re going to get to see these awesome buildings every day. Being surrounded by such a rich culture is truly an experience.

When looking to purchase a new home, there are many different factors a potential buyer has to consider. The typical ones are what you’ve probably already looked into. You want to know how the school system is in a neighborhood if you have children. If your family owns multiple vehicles, garage space is a concern. Then of course you need to meet your needs for the number of rooms, yard size, and design. But, you need to think economically as well. Ask yourself, “Am I moving into an area that’s on an upswing?” A home isn’t just a place to rest your head; it’s also an investment. That’s why you want to move into an area that’s been going through a boom period and is projected to keep growing over the coming years.

If you’re looking for a new home in Texas, there’s no place that can give you what you’re looking for plus make an excellent investment quite like Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is the second fastest growing metropolitan area. And that’s not just in Texas. Fort Worth is the second fastest growing metropolitan area in the entire country. Only Houston surpasses it, but as you can see, Texas is running the table. With over seven million people calling Dallas-Fort Worth home (and a projection of nine million by 2030), there has to be reasons as to why thousands more move in with each passing year. Let’s take a look at why Fort Worth is experiencing so much success and remains attractive to new home buyers year after year.

The Economy

Fort Worth is a place for innovation and entrepreneurialism. It has been since the 1800s. Did you know the country’s first convenience store opened here in the 1920s? It would eventually become what we now know as the national chain 7-Eleven. Fort Worth has always been an area of firsts. The first shopping mall, drive-thru bank, ATM, and microchip all come from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And the tradition continues. The region is home to some of the biggest names in the industrial space, including military and healthcare. Some of the biggest employers include Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy, American Airlines, and Bell Helicopter. More and more filming is being done here as well as movie studios realize how advantageous it is to film in Texas.

The Location

Dallas-Fort Worth is the nation’s largest inland port. It has the second highest number of freeway mileage in the country, which is excellent for both opportunity and your commute. One must also acknowledge the many railways that pass through the area, as well as the famous Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the third busiest in the world. How many airports do you know of with a golf course?

The Education System

Every neighborhood has its own primary-high school system. If you have children that are of school attending age, this list of the best school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area will be of use to you. As for college, there are nearly 300,000 students attending public and private institutions. Texas A&M has representation here with the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus. It is the third largest Texas A&M institution in that system with 12,000 students.

The Lifestyle

It needs to be said that you’ll be living where the Dallas Cowboys play, which for some people might be reason enough to call Fort Worth home! Texas Motor Speedway is the premier destination for NASCAR and IndyCar enthusiasts. You can cheer on your favorite drivers alongside 190,000 other fans. If you’re a fan of golf, the Fort Worth metro area is home to 100 golf courses. You could spend the rest of your life golfing here without ever taking another cross country trip for a good game of golf. There are over 60 lakes and reservoirs within 100 miles of Fort Worth which is ideal for people who enjoy boating, water sports, or just lounging along the water. Fort Worth is also home to the largest annual state fair in the country.

The Future

Now is a great time to look for Fort Worth homes as developers continue to build in the area. Many gated communities with a wide variety of amenities are coming up across the metro area. Some of these communities include gyms, pools, recreation areas, and shopping complexes nearby. Commercial growth is on the rise, too, as the downtown area develops to rival traditional downtown areas of other major cities. Stores like Whole Foods are popping up to cater to the changing tastes of residents.

If you’re looking for a new place that you and your family can call home, the answer has to be Fort Worth. A great area just continues to grow and improve. Be a part of this exciting development and enjoy all the area has to offer.